E. E. Cummings was an artist who pushed the boundaries of language, form, and emotion in poetry. His ability to experiment with syntax, punctuation, and structure allowed him to create works that resonate deeply with readers on both intellectual and emotional levels.

With a legacy that includes some of the most beloved poems of the 20th century, Cummings remains a towering figure in modernist poetry, celebrated for his creativity, individuality, and enduring contributions to literature.

Early Life and Education

Edward Estlin Cummings, better known as E. E. Cummings, was born on October 14, 1894, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Edward Cummings and Rebecca Haswell Clarke. His family was deeply rooted in the intellectual and religious life of Cambridge. His father was a Unitarian minister and professor at Harvard, and his mother came from a prominent Massachusetts family.

The Cummings household was a nurturing environment for the young poet, encouraging his early interest in writing and poetry. He began writing poems at a young age, heavily influenced by his mother, who was a creative influence on him throughout his life.

Cummings attended the prestigious Harvard University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1915. His time at Harvard played a pivotal role in shaping his literary interests, especially his exposure to the emerging modernist movement in literature and the arts.

He was particularly influenced by writers like Ezra Pound and T. S. Eliot, who were also reshaping the literary landscape. After completing his undergraduate studies, Cummings stayed on to complete a Master’s degree at Harvard in 1916.

World War I and Its Impact

In 1917, when the United States entered World War I, Cummings volunteered for the Norton-Harjes Ambulance Corps in France, hoping to contribute to the war effort.

It was during his service in France that Cummings developed a close friendship with fellow American biographer William Slater Brown. Together, they traveled across the French countryside and communicated with the local French population, which, due to their perceived anti-war sentiments and pro-German sympathies, attracted the suspicion of the French authorities.

In September 1917, less than six months after joining the ambulance service, Cummings and Brown were arrested by French military authorities and accused of espionage. They were detained at the Dépôt de Triage in La Ferté-Macé, Normandy, for more than three months. This experience deeply impacted Cummings, increasing his disdain for authoritarianism and bureaucracy, themes that would appear in his later works.

His imprisonment provided the material for his first book, The Enormous Room (1922), an autobiographical account of his time in detention, which remains one of the most well-known narratives of World War I from an American perspective.

After his release, Cummings returned to the United States and continued to explore his creative potential. His experiences during the war left him with a deep mistrust of authority, which often showed up in his writing. His unconventional use of language and typography can be seen as a form of rebellion against the norms of both literary and social structures.

Personal Life and Relationships

Cummings’ personal life was as complex and unconventional as his poetry. He was married three times, though his longest relationship was with his third wife, Marion Morehouse, a photographer and model, with whom he shared nearly three decades of his life from 1934 until his death in 1962. His first marriage was to Elaine Orr, a brief and tumultuous relationship that produced his only child, a daughter named Nancy Thayer Andrews. His second marriage to Anne Minnerly Barton also ended in divorce.

Despite the turbulence in his romantic relationships, Cummings maintained a wide circle of friends in the artistic community, which included some of the most important cultural figures of the 20th century. He traveled widely, giving lectures and readings and developing a reputation as an outspoken, witty, and rebellious figure in literary circles.

Later Life and Death

Throughout his life, Cummings remained committed to his unique approach to poetry, which often meant working outside the mainstream literary establishment. His works, characterized by their experimental use of language, punctuation, and syntax, sometimes alienated critics and readers who preferred more traditional forms. However, he also developed a loyal following who appreciated his creativity and the emotional depth of his work.

In 1957, Cummings was awarded the Bollingen Prize in Poetry for his lifetime achievement, and he received numerous other accolades, including the Shelley Memorial Award for Poetry in 1945. He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

E. E. Cummings died of a stroke on September 3, 1962, in North Conway, New Hampshire, at the age of 67. He was buried in Forest Hills Cemetery in Boston, Massachusetts.

Most Famous Poems by E. E. Cummings

E. E. Cummings’ poetry is characterized by his unconventional style, which often includes eccentric punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. His work reflects his modernist influences, as well as his commitment to individualism, emotional depth, and creative freedom.

“Buffalo Bill’s” (1920)

“Buffalo Bill’s” is one of Cummings’ most famous poems and reflects his ability to combine playful language with deep reflection. The poem portrays the legendary cowboy, Buffalo Bill Cody, who was a symbol of the American Wild West, as a “defunct” character. Cummings uses vivid, fragmented language to illustrate the fleeting nature of heroism and the inevitability of death. The poem’s structure—disjointed and full of line breaks—mirrors the theme of mortality, contrasting the vitality of Buffalo Bill’s life with his current state.

Poem Excerpt:

Buffalo Bill’s
defunct
who used to
ride a watersmooth-silver
stallion
and break onetwothreefourfive pigeonsjustlikethat
Jesus
he was a handsome man
and what i want to know is
how do you like your blueeyed boy
Mister Death

This poem exemplifies Cummings’ use of syntax to create emotional impact, as the rapid movement of the words reflects Buffalo Bill’s once-vibrant life, which is now gone.

“since feeling is first” (1926)

“since feeling is first” is another of Cummings’ most celebrated poems, notable for its exploration of the relationship between logic and emotion. In this poem, Cummings argues that love and feeling are more important than the constraints of logic and reason, a reflection of his belief in living life fully and emotionally.

The poem’s structure is fluid, with unconventional punctuation and a disregard for capital letters, which supports the theme of breaking free from the rigid structures of life.

Poem Excerpt:

since feeling is first
who pays any attention
to the syntax of things
will never wholly kiss you;

wholly to be a fool
while Spring is in the world

The poem is a celebration of love, spontaneity, and the joys of being emotionally open, even if it means defying conventional wisdom.

“i carry your heart with me(i carry it in)” (1952)

This poem is one of Cummings’ most famous love poems and has been widely quoted in weddings and romantic literature. In it, the speaker expresses a deep, almost metaphysical connection with a loved one, claiming that he carries their heart within his own. The poem is simple in its language, yet profound in its emotional intensity.

Poem Excerpt:

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)

The lack of punctuation and spacing between words conveys a sense of unity between the speaker and their loved one, reflecting Cummings’ signature style of merging form and content.

“anyone lived in a pretty how town” (1940)

This poem is a meditation on life, death, and the passage of time, with “anyone” and “noone” serving as the main characters in a typical town. The poem’s unconventional syntax, use of lowercase letters, and abstract storytelling reflect Cummings’ broader concerns about individuality and society. It explores the themes of conformity and the often unnoticed lives of ordinary people.

Poem Excerpt:

anyone lived in a pretty how town
(with up so floating many bells down)
spring summer autumn winter
he sang his didn’t he danced his did.

The poem uses rhythm and repetition to emphasize the cyclical nature of life and the unrecognized importance of individual experience.

“in Just-” (1920)

“in Just-“ is a playful, spring-themed poem that explores the innocence and wonder of childhood. It captures the joy of a spring day through the eyes of children, celebrating the renewal and vitality of the season. Cummings invents new compound words and uses unorthodox spacing to evoke the carefree energy of children at play.

Poem Excerpt:

in Just-
spring when the world is mud-
luscious the little
lame balloonman

whistles far and wee

The poem’s unconventional structure reflects the playful, spontaneous spirit of the children and the rebirth of nature in spring.

Style and Influence

E. E. Cummings’ unique approach to poetry has had a lasting influence on both modernist and contemporary poetry. His use of experimental syntax, punctuation, and capitalization set him apart from many of his peers, and his commitment to individualism and emotional expression resonated with readers. His style often disregarded traditional grammatical rules, opting instead for a more visual and emotional impact.

Unconventional Form and Structure

Cummings often used nontraditional syntax, breaking words and phrases apart, and incorporating unexpected line breaks. This unusual form allowed him to emphasize particular emotions or ideas and gave his poems a unique rhythm and flow.

His experimentation with form also extended to his rejection of conventional punctuation and capitalization, which he viewed as too restrictive for expressing human emotion and experience.

Themes of Love, Individualism, and Nature

Thematically, Cummings’ poetry frequently revolves around love, nature, and individuality. He often celebrated the beauty of human connection and emotional freedom, contrasting this with the conformity and constraints of society. His poetry was also deeply influenced by nature, reflecting a reverence for the natural world and its cycles of life and renewal.

Legacy and Impact

E. E. Cummings’ work has inspired countless poets and artists who followed him. His willingness to challenge conventional structures paved the way for more experimental approaches to language and form in modern poetry. While his style was sometimes criticized during his lifetime, his influence on 20th-century poetry and his reputation as a literary innovator have endured.

Did you know…?

Cummings’ influence extended beyond the avant-garde. Poet Randall Jarrell remarked that no one had made experimental poetry so accessible and attractive to both general and specialized readers. James Dickey praised Cummings as a daringly original poet, brimming with vitality and unmatched talent. Though Dickey admitted to feeling guilty when pointing out any flaws in Cummings’ work, he likened such criticisms to finding faults in a rose, ultimately concluding that Cummings “helped to give life to the language.”

Facts about E.E. Cummings and his works

• In total, Cummings authored approximately 2,900 poems. He is often considered one of the most influential American poets of the 20th century, closely associated with modernist free-form poetry.
• His work is known for its distinctive syntax, use of lowercase spellings, and creative manipulation of language to achieve poetic expression. M.L. Rosenthal described Cummings’ unique style as breaking open clichéd themes to uncover new, dynamic energy within language, describing him as someone who “masterfully succeeded in splitting the atom of the cute commonplace.”
• Norman Friedman, another Cummings scholar, suggested that Cummings’ experimental use of language was an attempt to defamiliarize the world by transforming words themselves. By doing so, Cummings sought to change how people perceive the world through language.

Questions and Answers

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about E.E. Cummings, a prominent 20th-century poet and writer:

What was Cummings’ educational background?

Cummings attended Harvard University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1915. He continued his education and received a Master’s degree from Harvard the following year, in 1916.

What was unique about Cummings’ writing style?

Cummings’ poetry is known for its unusual use of punctuation, grammar, and capitalization. He often disregarded traditional rules of syntax and created new ways of expressing emotions and ideas through a more experimental and visual approach to language.

What were some of Cummings’ most famous works?

Some of his most famous poems include:

• “Buffalo Bill’s”: A short, satirical poem about the famous American cowboy Buffalo Bill.
• “Tulips and Chimneys”: His first poetry collection, published in 1923.
• “Puella Mea”: A lengthy poem that reflected on his relationship with his first wife, Elaine Orr Thayer.
• “since feeling is first”: A poem about the contrast between emotion and logic.
• “I Sing of Olaf Glad and Big”: A poem centered on a character who refuses to go to war, reflecting Cummings’ anti-war sentiments.

What experience shaped Cummings’ anti-war stance?

During World War I, Cummings served in an ambulance corps in France. He and his friend William Slater Brown were arrested by the French military for their outspoken views against the war and their correspondence with locals. Cummings spent over three months in a detention camp, an experience that led to his disillusionment with military authority and inspired his autobiographical book, The Enormous Room (1922).

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Who were Cummings’ spouses?

Cummings was married three times. His first marriage was to Elaine Orr Thayer, with whom he had a daughter named Nancy Thayer Andrews. He later married Anne Minnerly Barton, and his longest-lasting marriage was to model and photographer Marion Morehouse, which lasted from 1934 until his death in 1962.

What awards did E.E. Cummings receive during his lifetime?

Cummings received several prestigious awards, including the Bollingen Prize for Poetry in 1957 and the Shelley Memorial Award for Poetry in 1945. He was also a member of the Fellowship of the American Academy of Poets.

What is Tulips and Chimneys?

Tulips and Chimneys (1923) was Cummings’ first published collection of poetry. Originally consisting of 152 poems, it was edited down to 125 pages by publisher Thomas Seltzer. Some of the notable poems in the collection include “Buffalo Bill’s”, “Puella Mea”, and “Thy fingers make early flowers of”.

What is the significance of the poem “Buffalo Bill’s”?

“Buffalo Bill’s” is a poem that reflects on the life of Buffalo Bill Cody, a legendary figure of the American West. The poem celebrates his vitality but also carries a satirical tone, emphasizing the inevitable mortality of even the most iconic figures. The poem questions the lasting impact of status and fame in the face of death.

What themes are explored in “since feeling is first”?

“since feeling is first” explores the contrast between logic and emotion, suggesting that emotional experiences, such as love, are more meaningful than intellectual ones. The poem rejects conventional grammar and syntax, emphasizing the importance of living and feeling over rigid structure.

What is the poem “I Sing of Olaf Glad and Big” about?

This 1926 poem tells the story of Olaf, a man who refuses to participate in war despite brutal treatment and abuse. The poem portrays Olaf as a figure of moral courage and resistance, echoing Cummings’ anti-war stance and personal experiences in the military.

How did E.E. Cummings die?

E.E. Cummings died on September 3, 1962, at the age of 67 in Madison, New Hampshire. He left behind a legacy as one of the most innovative and celebrated poets of the 20th century.

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